Find out what critics have been saying about Rebecca Frecknall’s production of Tennessee Williams’ play A Streetcar Named Desire, now officially open at the Almeida Theatre.
’An illuminating, inventive revitalisation of a familiar piece’: A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE – Almeida Theatre ★★★★★
However, Rebecca Frecknall’s production of A Streetcar Named Desire at the Almeida Theatre is an unusually youthful reading of a play usually marinated in the disappointments of middle age, which duly casts it in a bold, bracing new light.
‘Brings a devastating new clarity to the play’: A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE – Almeida Theatre
Director Rebecca Frecknall tackles one of the greatest plays of all time, Tennessee Williams’ A Streetcar Named Desire back in the intimacy of the Almeida Theatre and brings a devastating new clarity to it, eschewing the distraction of a heavy set and the cliches that tend to dog interpretations of Williams, from the exaggerated Southern accents to Blanche’s affected gentility.
‘Superb reimagining’: A DOLL’S HOUSE – Lyric Hammersmith
Tanika Gupta’s superb reimagining of Henrik Ibsen’s modern classic A Doll’s House is both entertaining and deep.
‘Worthy but certainly not revelatory’: RUTHERFORD & SON – National Theatre
Revival of Githa Sowerby’s 1912 classic of industrial patriarchy Rutherford and Son is worthy but rather cumbersome and inaccessible.
‘If this show is saved at all, it’s by some of the acting’: RUTHERFORD & SON – National Theatre
Rutherford and Son is not my cup of tea. The acting does just about salvage it, or at least stop it from being a complete disaster, but it’s not enough.
NEWS: Rachel O’Riordan’s inaugural season at Lyric Hammersmith includes Tanika Gupta’s version of A Doll’s House & new play from David Greig
The Lyric Hammersmith Theatre has announced its 2019/2020 programme of work, Rachel O’Riordan’s inaugural season as artistic director.
‘There’s not a weak link here’: SUMMER & SMOKE – West End
Rebecca Frecknall’s production of Summer & Smoke has lost none of its charge, mainly through retaining the electric chemistry between its leads – an exceptional Patsy Ferran as Alma and Matthew Needham as John.
‘Shows exactly why we need more women directing in London theatre’: SUMMER & SMOKE – West End
Summer & Smoke, the latest Almeida Theatre West End transfer, is the first thing I’ve experienced in a while where the theatre audience is really, properly engaged in a play. It’s like you could literally hear a pin drop.
‘Great writing, beautifully performed’: AN ADVENTURE – Bush Theatre
An Adventure is a really lovely thing. Great writing, beautifully performed, artfully directed and an excuse to bop around to Brimful of Asha in the interval. Who needs more?
‘Makes its political points deftly & unobtrusively’: AN ADVENTURE – Bush Theatre
For his last show at the Bush, Madani Younis has chosen a project close to his heart, Vinay Patel’s An Adventure, an epic reading of one Asian family’s global migration story.
‘There is something unique to be learned from this story’: AN ADVENTURE – Bush Theatre ★★★★
Vinay Patel’s An Adventure leaves no stone unturned in unpacking the frustrations of reality against two people building a dream.
NEWS: Additions to Bush Theatre season include Vinay Patel’s An Adventure & gig theatre All We Ever Wanted
The Bush Theatre’s artistic director Madani Younis has announced additions to the venue’s autumn/winter 2018 season. Highlights include six plays to end the theatre’s season – including three new commissions and two world premieres; full cast details for the world premiere of Vinay Patel’s An Adventure; news of Misty by Arinzé Kene transferring to the West End following an extended sell-out season at …
NEWS: Almeida production of Tennessee Williams’ Summer & Smoke transfers to the West End in November
Following a sold-out run at the Almeida Theatre, Tennessee Williams’ rarely staged classic Summer and Smoke will have a limited West End run from 10 November 2018 to 19 January 2019 at the Duke Of York’s Theatre, with press night on 20 November.
‘A glorious adaptation’: SUMMER & SMOKE – Almeida Theatre
The business of Summer & Smoke at the Almeida Theatre is handled with such subtly that it allows the deep emotional connection at the heart of the story to flourish. With a magnetic central pairing, Rebecca Frecknall’s production is unmissably beautiful, and the Almeida at its finest.
‘The beauty shines through’: SUMMER & SMOKE – Almeida Theatre ★★★★
Nothing is wasted, no irony or brief sad laugh unmarked in Summer & Smoke at the Almeida. At times the self-conscious staging irritated me, a little, but the beauty shone through, and honour to Rebecca Frecknall for championing this gorgeous, gentle play.
KING LEAR – Shakespeare’s Globe
Characterisation from each member of the cast felt natural, beautifully synchronised and there’s a strong sense of unity amongst the ensemble – even when characters’ paths are divided.
LIFE OF GALILEO – The Young Vic
Part planetarium and part theatre-in-the-round, Life of Galileo invites us to look to the stars in an inspiring look at a revolutionary time for science. Some of the audience are able to sit (or lay) in the centre of the round with cushions and gaze up at the galaxy filled ceiling as it moves in a beautiful and magical way.
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM – Shakespeare’s Globe
Anarchy! It’s not what you expect from a Shakespeare play… even one that has been performed in as many ways as A
Midsummer Night’s Dream has been tackled. Emma Rice’s debut piece in her first season as Artistic Director for the Globe throws the rulebook right out of the window though with performers wearing head mics, set dressing seemingly hanging from the sky and a distinctly non-reverential approach to William’s words.